There was always going to be so much intrigue surrounding Brooks Koepka on his first start since leaving LIV Golf and returning to the PGA Tour.
Brooks Koepka became the first big name to actively look to leave LIV Golf, back in December. And the PGA Tour made sure to open the door for the 35-year-old to make a swift return.
What are your takes from Brooks Koepka’s first showing back on the PGA Tour?
Are you more or less encouraged that he can compete in 2026
It was immediately announced that the five-time major champion would tee it up at the Farmers Insurance Open in his first appearance of the season.
Unfortunately, it was clear from the early stages that it was not going to be a fairytale return for Koepka, who had his work cut out just to make the cut.
What Trevor Immelman has noticed about Brooks Koepka since his PGA Tour return
Koepka has played reasonably well at Torrey Pines. However, he seems to have had no joy whatsoever on the greens.
Nevertheless, it appears that Koepka is going to be able to take a number of positives from his performance this week.
Speaking on CBS Sports after the third round, Trevor Immelman suggested that he has been taken aback by Koepka’s demeanour over the last few days.
“He seemed more emotional to me than what I ever remember through his career. It appears that he has unbelievable gratitude and appreciation for this opportunity to be back on the PGA Tour. He’s had a brilliant reception from fans and players,” he said.
“And all in all, I’d say it’s a pretty solid performance. Tee to green, he really actually has played quite well. The putter has been absolutely horrendous. He knows that. He just told us that he’s going to have to find a solution for that moving forward. But all in all, I give this a pretty solid starting week for him, and I look for him to build on that next week at WM which is a place we know he loves and he’s won at a couple of times.”
A mixed start, but there’s reason to think Brooks Koepka could be one to watch in 2026
Clearly, there are plenty of players on LIV who do not regret their decision to jump from the PGA Tour at all. The likes of Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau look set to reject the offer to return before this month’s deadline.
But it is fair to say that Koepka did not look happy during his final few months on LIV. Obviously, his family were going through an awful time away from the course.
Koepka could not hide his frustration at times during what would prove to be his final season on LIV. So it did appear that he needed a fresh start this year, however that looked.
When everything clicks for Koepka he is one of the finest competitors in the game. And it is surely fair to say that he is much more likely to add to his major tally in the future if he is content with where he is on and off the course.
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